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The problem is that there are too many problems. You can't fix the Padres by firing the manager or rearranging the lineup or shaking up the bullpen or awaiting the bugle call that signals the cavalry is coming.

No, this is a Triple-A club masquerading in the major leagues, a roster replete with castoffs and kids; some of them marginal prospects, some of them simply space-fillers, almost all of them inadequate.

The best pitcher, Jake Peavy, is too costly to keep. The best hitter, Adrian Gonzalez, is lucky he ever sees a strike. The most appealing move, then, would be to borrow one from Oliver Cromwell's playbook.

“You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately,” Cromwell said in dissolving England's Rump Parliament in 1653. “Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”

Yet as appropriate as Cromwell's wrath feels – yesterday's 11-3 thumping in Chicago completed an 0-6 road trip and dropped the Friars into a last-place tie with Arizona – so bold a stroke is probably impractical with 127 games to go in the regular season.

Since General Manager Kevin Towers is promising action, here follows a seven-step program worth pursuing. These are baby steps, to be sure – at some point, new CEO Jeff Moorad is going to have to make a call on Towers and his lieutenants – but even small changes can cause improvement when the status quo stinks.

Step 1: Send Kevin Kouzmanoff somewhere else.

With more strikeouts (31) than hits (27) and only one home run, the Padres'third baseman is in need of either a change of scene, a technical adjustment or a new line of work.

Though Kouzmanoff hit 23 home runs last year, his on-base percentage was a woeful .299, and he's averaged more than six strikeouts for every walk over his past 750 at-bats. He still has a minor league option remaining, however, and could therefore be demoted without risk of a waiver claim.

Perhaps Kouzmanoff can find his stroke and renew his confidence against Triple-A pitching. If not, creating a vacancy at third base is also desirable.

Step 2: Bring Chase Headley back where he belongs.

Headley has been a serviceable left fielder – he's made one error in 30 games this season – but he's been playing out there and out of position because he's been blocked by Kouzmanoff.

Headley is a third baseman two years younger than Kouzmanoff with comparable power, slightly better plate discipline and superior speed. Overall, he's an upgrade.

Step 3: Add outfielder, mix gently.

If Headley returns to third base, the roster will need rebalancing. The conversion of slugging prospect Kyle Blanks from a first baseman to an outfielder has begun, but last night's game in Oklahoma City was only Blanks'second outfield start of the season. He could benefit, too, from another coat of polish at the plate.

“Right now, he's still learning to hit at this level,” said Rich Burk, Portland's radio broadcaster. “Until he starts laying off the off-speed pitches that aren't strikes anybody with off-speed stuff will fool him.”